Subway riding guide for me:

• Mask: ✔️

• Sunglasses/my favorite brand of aviators: 🕶️ ✔️

• City/winter gloves: ✔️

• Winter beanie + scarf: ✔️

• AirPods: ✔️

• Spare to-go size of Kleenex/tissues + to-go hand sanitizer: ✔️

• Sufficient amount of $/MetroCard fare just in case to help someone (not often due to OMNY/current stage of pandemic): ✔️

• A “keep to yourself” mantra to avoid complications sometimes: ✔️ (95% of the time)

Pretty much goes without fail most of the time, and yes, one or two times even we ourselves might be susceptible to pressure/sadness or panic attacks, (like myself once or twice a year even on a subway/the station), but it’s all about consent if you’d want to solicit help (same applies conversely), and it’s perfectly fine if no one wants to help, or if someone wants to accept the offer of help and give you some encouraging words at bare minimum. OTOH it’s completely understandable if someone’s hesitant in terms of helping a stranger, you can never be too certain these days given what can happen in the subway (whether above/below ground) worst case scenario.

Hopefully December & the rest of the year can be something to celebrate over, and find some positivity in our own lives.